Hyderabad, July 25, 2013: Rayalaseema ministers T G Venkatesh and Erasu Pratapa Reddy denied reports that they had threatened to resign in case the state were to be divided to create Telangana.

Talking to the media here on Thursday, they said they would abide by the decision of the Congress High Command. Stating that it was their wish that the state should be united, the two ministers said Rayalaseema state also should be created should backwardness be the criterion for state bifurcation.

Venkatesh and Erasu said they would go to Delhi and impress upon the Congress High Command about the sentiments of the Seemandhra people. They said if the centre decides to create Telangana, separate Rayalaseema state also should be created as the region ws also backward. They pointed out that the Sri Krishna Committee said that the Telangana region was more developed.

Dismissing reports that the Congress High Command had already decided to divide the state, they said so far no such decision was taken. Theyxplained that they said they were prepared for any sacrifice to keep the state united and had not threatened to resign.